SECURITY PEST ELIMINATION

Serving the Arlington MA Area Since 1993

Professional Mouse Pest Control & Rat Extermination

$20 Senior Discount

House Mice:

Mice are nocturnal creatures and are rarely seen by the homeowner. When only a few mice are present, you might notice some droppings or hear them at night. After the mice start multiplying, they begin to get noticed running across floor areas late at night. If you see house mice in the daytime, it is an indication of a large mouse infestation. The greatest economic loss from mice is not due to how much they eat, but what must be thrown out because of damage or contamination. Food, clothing, furniture, books and many other household items are contaminated by their droppings and urine, or damaged by their gnawing. Besides fire, the real damage by mice in our Arlington MA homes is by contamination. Rodents are also the vectors of human disease, they are incontinent and consequently foul wherever they travel, their droppings and fur will contaminate food preparation surfaces and foodstuffs. Mice also spread diseases; salmonellosi, rickettsialpox and lymphocytic choriomenigitis and exposure to mice feces can cause asthma in humans.

There are three species of mice that are found in our Arlington MA homes (house mice, white-footed mice and deer mice), but house mice are the most common. The white-footed mouse in eastern North America is the most popular host for the bacteria that cause Lyme disease and the ticks that transmit it. This species is similar to the deer mouse. Like the deer mouse, it may carry Hantaviruses, which cause severe illness in humans. It has also been found to be a reservoir for the Lyme disease causing spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi. In comparison to the house mice, white-footed and deer mice have larger eyes and ears. They are considered by most people to be more “attractive” than house mice, and they do not have the characteristic mousy odor of house mice. All three of these species of mice cause similar problems in Arlington MA and require similar solutions.

Are there Mice in the House?

Mice are the most common rodents found within structures in Arlington MA, particularly in the fall and winter. The most obvious indicators of their presence are droppings (1/8 to 1/4 inch long, dark and pointed at both ends).

House Mice Droppings

You may hear sounds of them running, gnawing or squeaking. Also, you might see damage to stored food or see nesting materials. Don’t be surprised if your pets paw at walls and cabinets where mice are hiding. Cats will stare at walls for extended periods when they hear rodents moving within. You may find mouse droppings in various areas of your kitchen cabinets or under the counter. Look for dried urine in pots and pans. Watch for mice droppings in storage areas like garages and basements, especially along the wall edges in the corners. You might not see the mice, but you can probably hear them after dark, as mice are often more active at night. Nests are usually made of materials like bits of cloth or shredded paper. You can check for mouse tracks by dusting suspected areas with a light coating of unscented talcum powder or mason’s chalk dust. Wait a day and then shine a flashlight across the area. If you notice small tracks in the powder, then you’ll know that mice have been there.

How to Get Rid of Mice – Solution

Security Pest Elimination are experts in all types of rodent exterminating. We will send out a licensed Pest Control technician to inspect and check for entry points. If a main entry point is found we will seal it with a material mice can’t chew through. White-footed mice and deer mice will come and go through exterior openings, but house mice tend to stay inside your home.

Mouse traps are not the best way to get rid of mice in your Arlington MA home. Mouse traps are best used for mouse pest control, not mice elimination. They tend to catch just some of the careless juvenile mice, not many of the adult mice. So, using mice traps for getting rid of a mice problem is an ongoing measure requiring constant removal of dead mice. Since our Arlington MA customers want us to rid their home of all the mice as quickly as possible, using mouse traps is not an viable option for mice extermination.

Mice extermination of house mice, deer mice and white footed mice inside your Arlington MA home is best accomplished with the correct rodent baits. We have different baits for various parts of your home. The bait must be attractive enough for the mice to eat, even if they already have a food source stored inside your walls, or above your ceilings. The food the mice have stored in your walls and ceilings leads to very difficult to control pantry pest infestations (such as, Indian meal moths and various types of grain beetles) that can linger for up to 8 years after the mice are gone. The surest way to get rid of mice is to use the proper scented mouse bait and bait formulation for each type of location in your home. i.e. The right bait for eliminating mice in the attic, will be useless in a damp garage location. We have the proper bait for varying locations, so the bait will be quickly eaten and last in each type of environment for an extended period of time.

Note: If proper baiting is done for house mice, white-footed and deer mice in your Arlington MA home will also be controlled. Behavioral differences may result in white-footed and deer mice carrying off and hoarding more bait than house mice normally do. For this reason the use of properly designed bait stations and the correct bait formulation is critical in preventing this relocation of rodent bait inside your house.

House Mouse Damage

House mice gnaw through electrical wiring causing fires and failure of freezers,
clothes dryers and other appliances.

Mice and rats need to gnaw constantly is necessary to control the size of their incisor (front) teeth. Mice can chew through anything softer than their teeth. Mice teeth can grow up to 5 inches a year. They often turn their destructive instincts to pipe work, structural building materials, electrical cables, thus they are a major cause of structural fires.

House Mouse Contaminating Hamburger Rolls

White Footed & Deer Mice – Damage Identification

The principal problem caused by white-footed and deer mice is their tendency to enter homes, sheds, garages and other structures that are not rodent-proof. Here they build nests, store food, and can cause considerable damage to upholstered furniture, mattresses, clothing, car interiors, paper, or other materials that they find suitable for their nest-building activities. Nests, droppings, and other signs left by these mice are similar to those of house mice. White-footed and deer mice have a greater tendency to cache food supplies, such as acorns, seeds, or nuts, than do house mice. White-footed and deer mice are common in suburban residential areas where there is considerable open space (fields, parks) nearby.
In mid-1993, the deer mouse was first implicated as a potential reservoir of a type of hantavirus responsible for an adult respiratory distress syndrome, leading to several deaths in the Four Corners area of the United States. Subsequent isolation of the virus thought responsible for this illness have been made from several Western states. The source of the disease is thought to be through human contact with urine, feces, or saliva from infected rodents.

Mice are prolific breeders, producing six to ten litters throughout the year.

Cleaning Mouse Droppings

When cleaning areas previously used by mice, take precautions to reduce exposure to dust, their excreta, and carcasses of dead mice. Where deer mice or related species may be reservoirs of hantaviruses, the area should be disinfected by spraying it thoroughly with a disinfectant or a solution of diluted household bleach prior to beginning any sweeping, vacuuming, or handling of surfaces or materials with which mice have had contact. Use appropriate protective clothing, including vinyl or latex gloves. Contact the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Hotline for current recommendations when handling rodents or cleaning areas previously infested.

Ineffective Mouse Pest Control Techniques

Frightening Devices

There are no methods known for successfully keeping white-footed or deer mice out of structures by means of sound. House mice will get accustomed to the sound or just move over into an adjacent wall. Ultrasonic devices that are commercially sold and advertised for rodent control and other pests have not proven to give satisfactory control.

Repellents like Moth Balls

Moth balls or flakes (naphthalene) may effectively repel mice from closed areas where a sufficient concentration of the chemical can be attained in the air. Moth balls are not registered for mouse pest control and will leave your Arlington MA home with a foul smelling odor for years.

Rat Control in Arlington MA

Common Norway Rat

The rats found in Arlington Massachusetts are called brown rats, street rats, sewer rats, Norway rats, or wharf rats, but they’re all the same species of rat (Rattus norvegicus). They’re most commonly called just rats or Norway rats. The Norway rat has a body length up to 10 inches long, and a similar tail length; the male weighs on average 12 oz. and the female 9 oz. Brown rats in New England have originated from northern China, not Norway. This rodent is the dominant rat in Europe and much of North America. In addition to being a major nuisance pest, the brown rat can transmit certain diseases to people and animals, and can damage or contaminate large quantities of food products and crops.

Norway Rat Description

The fur is coarse and usually brown or dark grey, while the underparts are lighter grey or brown. The body length can be up to 10 inches, with the tail being another 10 inches. Adult body weight averages 19 oz. in males and about 12 oz in females, but a very large brown rat can reach 32 oz. Rats weighing over 32 oz. are rare and stories of rats as big as cats are just exaggerations, or misidentifications of other rodents, such as the much larger muskrat.

Note: To tell the difference between a very young rat, or an adult mouse, simply check out the length of the tail. The rat will have a much longer, thicker tail.

Rat Biology and Behavior

The Norway rat is extremely adaptable and once indoors in our Arlington MA homes can nest in wall or ceiling void, crawlspaces, attics, or inside furniture or other stored items. A young rat can gain entry to a building through an opening only slightly larger than 1/2-inch. Brown rats can travel along pipes or conduits, climb brick or rough walls, and can gnaw through various building materials including cement block. They sometimes enter buildings by traveling and swimming through sewer lines. They have been known to come straight up into our homes through the bathroom toilet. The brown rat is nocturnal and is a good swimmer, both on the surface and underwater. Brown rats live in large, hierarchical groups, either in burrows or subsurface places, such as sewers and cellars. Rats are known to burrow extensively. Rats generally begin a new burrow adjacent to an object or structure, as this provides a roof for the section of the burrow nearest to the ground’s surface. Thus, our cement foundations make good locations for them.

Norway Rat Diet

The brown rat is a true omnivore and will consume almost anything. There teeth are very hard and grow continuously, so they are constantly chewing on objects to keep their teeth from growing to long. They can chew through almost all food packaging containers.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

The brown rat can breed throughout the year if conditions are suitable, with a female producing up to five litters a year. The gestation period is about 21 days, and litters can number up to 14, although seven is most common. They reach sexual maturity in about five weeks. Their normal lifespan is one to 2 years in Arlington MA, but they can live up to 3 years.

Amazing amazing experience! Very responsive, professional, with an excellent warranty!! Thank you so much to the guy who answers the phone to the technician Jon who came out and provided the service. John was so thorough and ensured when he was finished that the dog gates were closed and anything he drilled was swept up! Will use again for any future needs!

Gabriela Llanos

14:30 23 Apr 19

Karen Grabowski

21:42 22 Sep 19

Staff was friendly and helpful. Reasonable price and they came out the next day to help with our new problem. Highly recommend!

Amy Lowe

15:29 30 Jul 18

I have used Security Pest for years. If I find a bees’ nest around my house, they’re my first call. Always responsive, professional and reasonably priced.

Elle Michelle

13:05 14 Oct 19

I had a very positive experience with Security Pest. I purchased a new building and there was a Yellow jacket wasp nest in the eves under the roof. They were finding their way into the apartments and delaying the renovation process. John came out to treat the area and did a thorough job of dusting the nest on the roof. But this was mid fall & the wasps were persistent, so a week later they were still there. John came back out to treat a second time & the wasps decreased in number notably. But a week later there were a few stragglers, so John came out one last time to ensure they were gone for good! The job was guaranteed and if the wasps come back, even if it is to a different location, they will come out until the end of the season free of charge and ensure they are gone. Check out their website sometimes there is a coupon for a discount. Highly recommend!

Mary Jo Melloni

01:25 18 Sep 18

The gentleman who came and helped rid my chimney of hornets was very nice and helpful and thorough in his work. We are free of the hornets!

Chris Reed

15:18 16 Nov 19

The services provided were very professional and thorough. If you are having an issue with bees, yellow jackets, wasps or other pests, I highly recommend Security Pest Control & Termite Services. They did a complete job in getting rid of the Yellow Jacket nest that was a big nuisance.

Avery Morin

15:15 26 Mar 19

Professional and competent.

Susan Hart

16:18 28 Oct 18

Very professional. Arrived for appointment on time. Eliminated a significant infestation of bees in our eaves/attic.

John Rondeau

16:49 24 Feb 19

Needed a Termite Inspection done for my VA refinance so after checking all reviews and calling around I Chose Securty Pest control they came here they checked all floor levels and gave me an honest Inspection at a very reasonable rate. Most of all this person was on time.ThankyouJohn Rondeau Jr

Michael Hoagland

02:44 26 Sep 15

I have been a customer of Security Pest for years and recently received service that was above and beyond, compelling me to review here. It was only two days before my son's birthday party and we asked Security Pest to come to remove a vacant bird's nest from under our screened-in porch as well as treat against the residual bird mites that they left behind, which I had found out about from sitting in the porch myself and started to itch. I should have called weeks before to be honest, but life gets in the way and I put it off. Their first opening was a week out, but after hearing our story and the potential impact to our party, they made arrangements to their schedule to enable a technician to come out the very next day. The mites were treated and we were able to use the porch without any risk of bites from unwanted guests. I couldn't be more thankful for such a quick turn from Security Pest.I should mention that I also subscribe to their Residential Maintenance Program and while I don't know if that factored into their responsiveness, I do know it did not hurt. But if it did help, it made paying for the program all the more worthwhile to get the service I needed when I needed it.

Don Champagne

16:35 10 Dec 19

I suspected I had a problem with termites and did a look around the basement and found what appeared to be dead swamers on the floor.In a panic to address the issue before the ground froze I called Security Pest Control.They set up an inspection for the next morning.Their technician, John, arrived on time, listened to my concerns and after showing him the swamers I found, assured me that they were ants and not termites.He continued to share his knowledge with me to set my mind at ease.I asked if doing a termite job in the spring for piece of mind is worth it, he said that it is not necessary and wished me a Merry Christmas.I can't tell you how Merry my Christmas will be with the price of mind John gave me.I asked what the bill is and he said there is no charge and as before, just have a Merry ChristmasI highly recommend Security Pest Control and would not hesitate to call them with any concerns I have moving forward.Thank you so much.PS: They will get a call back in the spring to do an ant job.That's the least I owe them for the service they provided me today.

Matthew Gangi

17:45 25 Sep 18

I first contacted Security Pest to perform a termite inspection on my property and in my home. The worker who came by--I believe his name was John--was thorough, friendly, and informative; after consulting for over 30 minutes, he charged me zero for his time (having determined there wasn't a current infestation).This past August, I noticed yellowjacket activity on the side of my house in a slight gap which I could not treat myself. I called Security and they came out a few days later, spraying both the gap and a location near my attack to prevent escaping pests from invading the inside of my home. At present, there's no activity (and the company provided a six-month guarantee should any return).I was and am very satisfied with their service--highly recommended.

Tonia Higgins

02:20 17 Jun 18

First time customer here. Quick to schedule a time to come out to property. No issues. Would do business with them again.

Patrick Whelan

14:33 04 Jun 18

Great company. Called and man on phone was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. Was able to schedule an appointment quickly (I was pressed for time due to selling house). The technician called in the morning to confirm his arrival time. He was also extremely professional, did a fantastic job, explained the warranty, etc. It was an excellent experience. I would STRONGLY recommend this company to anyone in the Dracut, Lowell area requiring these services.

Jin McLeod

15:21 14 Oct 18

Showed up right on time, explained exactly what he was going to do and was done within minutes. Yellow jackets are gone and haven't come back.

June Trickett

04:57 01 Jan 19

Security Pest was great! Called me right away came when they said they would. Great job no more squirrels in the attic.

Rosalie Dunbar

21:40 22 Aug 19

Security Pest has done work for me several times over the years. They are friendly, professional, and excellent! One visit had to do with rats, the most recent was with hornets. The men who came to help were patient, knowledgeable, and willing to answer my questions. Plus they are willing to work with you to solve the problem.

Amazing amazing experience! Very responsive, professional, with an excellent warranty!! Thank you so much to the guy who answers the phone to the technician Jon who came out and provided the service. John was so thorough and ensured when he was finished that the dog gates were closed and anything he drilled was swept up! Will use again for any future needs!

Gabriela Llanos

14:30 23 Apr 19

Karen Grabowski

21:42 22 Sep 19

Staff was friendly and helpful. Reasonable price and they came out the next day to help with our new problem. Highly recommend!

Amy Lowe

15:29 30 Jul 18

I have used Security Pest for years. If I find a bees’ nest around my house, they’re my first call. Always responsive, professional and reasonably priced.

Elle Michelle

13:05 14 Oct 19

I had a very positive experience with Security Pest. I purchased a new building and there was a Yellow jacket wasp nest in the eves under the roof. They were finding their way into the apartments and delaying the renovation process. John came out to treat the area and did a thorough job of dusting the nest on the roof. But this was mid fall & the wasps were persistent, so a week later they were still there. John came back out to treat a second time & the wasps decreased in number notably. But a week later there were a few stragglers, so John came out one last time to ensure they were gone for good! The job was guaranteed and if the wasps come back, even if it is to a different location, they will come out until the end of the season free of charge and ensure they are gone. Check out their website sometimes there is a coupon for a discount. Highly recommend!

Mary Jo Melloni

01:25 18 Sep 18

The gentleman who came and helped rid my chimney of hornets was very nice and helpful and thorough in his work. We are free of the hornets!

Chris Reed

15:18 16 Nov 19

The services provided were very professional and thorough. If you are having an issue with bees, yellow jackets, wasps or other pests, I highly recommend Security Pest Control & Termite Services. They did a complete job in getting rid of the Yellow Jacket nest that was a big nuisance.

Avery Morin

15:15 26 Mar 19

Professional and competent.

Susan Hart

16:18 28 Oct 18

Very professional. Arrived for appointment on time. Eliminated a significant infestation of bees in our eaves/attic.

John Rondeau

16:49 24 Feb 19

Needed a Termite Inspection done for my VA refinance so after checking all reviews and calling around I Chose Securty Pest control they came here they checked all floor levels and gave me an honest Inspection at a very reasonable rate. Most of all this person was on time.ThankyouJohn Rondeau Jr

Michael Hoagland

02:44 26 Sep 15

I have been a customer of Security Pest for years and recently received service that was above and beyond, compelling me to review here. It was only two days before my son's birthday party and we asked Security Pest to come to remove a vacant bird's nest from under our screened-in porch as well as treat against the residual bird mites that they left behind, which I had found out about from sitting in the porch myself and started to itch. I should have called weeks before to be honest, but life gets in the way and I put it off. Their first opening was a week out, but after hearing our story and the potential impact to our party, they made arrangements to their schedule to enable a technician to come out the very next day. The mites were treated and we were able to use the porch without any risk of bites from unwanted guests. I couldn't be more thankful for such a quick turn from Security Pest.I should mention that I also subscribe to their Residential Maintenance Program and while I don't know if that factored into their responsiveness, I do know it did not hurt. But if it did help, it made paying for the program all the more worthwhile to get the service I needed when I needed it.

Don Champagne

16:35 10 Dec 19

I suspected I had a problem with termites and did a look around the basement and found what appeared to be dead swamers on the floor.In a panic to address the issue before the ground froze I called Security Pest Control.They set up an inspection for the next morning.Their technician, John, arrived on time, listened to my concerns and after showing him the swamers I found, assured me that they were ants and not termites.He continued to share his knowledge with me to set my mind at ease.I asked if doing a termite job in the spring for piece of mind is worth it, he said that it is not necessary and wished me a Merry Christmas.I can't tell you how Merry my Christmas will be with the price of mind John gave me.I asked what the bill is and he said there is no charge and as before, just have a Merry ChristmasI highly recommend Security Pest Control and would not hesitate to call them with any concerns I have moving forward.Thank you so much.PS: They will get a call back in the spring to do an ant job.That's the least I owe them for the service they provided me today.

Matthew Gangi

17:45 25 Sep 18

I first contacted Security Pest to perform a termite inspection on my property and in my home. The worker who came by--I believe his name was John--was thorough, friendly, and informative; after consulting for over 30 minutes, he charged me zero for his time (having determined there wasn't a current infestation).This past August, I noticed yellowjacket activity on the side of my house in a slight gap which I could not treat myself. I called Security and they came out a few days later, spraying both the gap and a location near my attack to prevent escaping pests from invading the inside of my home. At present, there's no activity (and the company provided a six-month guarantee should any return).I was and am very satisfied with their service--highly recommended.

Tonia Higgins

02:20 17 Jun 18

First time customer here. Quick to schedule a time to come out to property. No issues. Would do business with them again.

Patrick Whelan

14:33 04 Jun 18

Great company. Called and man on phone was extremely helpful and knowledgeable. Was able to schedule an appointment quickly (I was pressed for time due to selling house). The technician called in the morning to confirm his arrival time. He was also extremely professional, did a fantastic job, explained the warranty, etc. It was an excellent experience. I would STRONGLY recommend this company to anyone in the Dracut, Lowell area requiring these services.

Jin McLeod

15:21 14 Oct 18

Showed up right on time, explained exactly what he was going to do and was done within minutes. Yellow jackets are gone and haven't come back.

June Trickett

04:57 01 Jan 19

Security Pest was great! Called me right away came when they said they would. Great job no more squirrels in the attic.

Rosalie Dunbar

21:40 22 Aug 19

Security Pest has done work for me several times over the years. They are friendly, professional, and excellent! One visit had to do with rats, the most recent was with hornets. The men who came to help were patient, knowledgeable, and willing to answer my questions. Plus they are willing to work with you to solve the problem.